DALLAS (Transatlantic Today) – The shooter who held 4 people captive at a synagogue in Texas on Saturday was identified by the FBI, sparking an hours-long confrontation outside the Fort Worth area.
According to Matthew DeSarno, the Bureau’s special agent in charge in Dallas, Malik Faisal Akram, 44, a British citizen, kept the captives against their choice at the Congregation Beth Israel, a Reform synagogue in Colleyville.
Authorities say Akram was killed during the standoff on Saturday night, but they did not provide any other information. The Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office stated it was informed of “the death of a British man in Texas,” but did not specify if he was referring to the culprit.
Two persons were detained in relation with the Texas standoff, British authorities said late Sunday.
The teenagers are Akram’s sons, a top law enforcement official told NBC News.
According to this person, Akram communicated with his sons at a certain point on Saturday during the crisis.
The names of the two detained youngsters have not been revealed by police.
According to DeSarno, the FBI’s Evidence Response Team is reviewing evidence at the synagogue.
The FBI said in a release late Sunday that it is always on the lookout for extreme threats to Jews, other religious organizations, and people of color.
President Joe Biden spoke out on the hostage situation on Sunday, praising the local authorities for their efforts in resolving the crisis.
During a press conference on Saturday, DeSarno praised the work of hostage negotiators, who worked side by side with hundreds of federal and state police.
In a statement received by Sky News Sunday, Akram’s brother, Gulbar, said that their family helped officials in negotiation and that Akram was having mental health issues.
When the Bureau’s hostage rescue team stormed the synagogue about 5 p.m., the first hostage was freed uninjured, but the others were released four hours later. Officials stated that the hostages, who were all adults, were not physically hurt and apparently did not require any medical attention.
“Prayers were answered. “All hostages are out alive and safe,” remarked Texas Governor in a tweet.
